Elliot was handed a start with Steve Harper also sidelined with a knee problem, and 19-year-old Jak Alnwick was named on the bench.

St James’s Park was decked out in red, white and blue for the game, with United having named it “French Day” in honour of the club’s sizeable contingent from across the channel and French-speaking Africa.

The Marseillaise, the French national anthem, was played before kick-off.

And Pardew felt the occasion took the pressure off his players.

“It was just a great day,” he said. “The concept of ‘French Day’ took a bit of pressure off the team.

“There wasn’t that anxiety in the crowd after we went a goal behind with their first shot at goal.

“Poor old Robbie didn’t have a chance with it. You thought ‘this could be difficult’, but we didn’t panic.

“I thought that was as calm as we’ve been in a game. (Yohan) Cabaye was pulling the strings – it was a shame to lose him. He was feeling a bit dizzy.